Bounce-Landing Puck Toss Game

ABSTRACT

A bounce-landing puck toss game device for playing a puck tossing game with apparatus and rules that provide form, function, and prescribed method of play. The inventive device includes a plurality of pucks including a number of tossing pucks and a target puck. Each puck has a center, generally circular first and second faces, and a perimeter side edge between the first and second faces of the puck. Each puck is constructed of a size, weight, and composition that are necessary for the practical application and execution of the intended usage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No.61/078,373; file date: Jul. 4, 2008. Customer Number: 68963.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for playing horseshoe, bagtoss, or bocce ball type games.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of devices for playing horseshoe, bag toss, and bocce ball typeof games is known in the prior art. More specifically, devices forplaying horseshoe, bag toss, or bocce ball games heretofore devised andutilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected andobvious structural configurations, not withstanding the myriad ofdesigns encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developedfor the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

Known prior art devices for playing horseshoe and bocce ball type gamesinclude U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151; U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,592; U.S. Pat. No.5,125,669; U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,139; U.S. Pat. No. 3,119,619; U.S. Pat.No. 915,450; U.S. Pat. No. 7,314,420; PCT Patent No. WO 95/30457(Inventors: Bouchard et al.); and EPO Patent No. EP 0 310 054 A2(Inventors: Norman et al.).

While these devices may fulfill their respective, particular objectivesand requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a newbounce-landing puck toss game device. In these respects, thebounce-landing puck toss game device of the present inventionsubstantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of theprior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed forthe purpose of playing a bounce-landing puck tossing game with a methodof play distinctly different to horseshoe, bag toss, or bocce ball typegames. For the record it should be clearly stated that bocce balls arenot able to bounce-land either fully or partially supported onto eachother. Bocce balls are round and they fall off of each other due to theeffects of gravity and the roundness of the ball, thus differentiatingthis invention so as not to be considered a bocce-ball type of game.Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 Bocce ball type game device does notdisclose any design or method of play that includes a tossing devicebounce-landing onto a target device for premium points scored in anymanner or function. While prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 describes adisc toss bocce-ball type game, of which the actual size, weight, andconstruction material of the game apparatus, said disc does not permitprior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 apparatus to be functional and usefulwhen applied to the new and different method of play of the invention ofthis application. In prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 apparatus saiddisks are specified by claim to be “less than” a specific size diameterand thickness, and therefore, weight, which often prohibits thedesirable and practical function of play in the preferred environmentsof outdoor beaches, sandy areas, and parks due to the effects of normaland commonplace wind, and visibility. The normal and commonplace windpresents an adverse effect to player accuracy which prohibits the gameof this invention to have the probability of accuracy necessary for saidobjective and desired successful bounce-landing toss at the saiddistance of up to about 50 (fifty) feet. The game apparatus of thisinvention is deliberately designed to be of sufficient weight, diameter,and thickness as to overcome and minimize the adverse effects of thewind and visibility, in regards to player accuracy, while said puck istossed and in flight at the designated distance of up to about 50(fifty) feet.

The game apparatus said tossing and target pucks of this invention arecomprised and constructed of a material that is of sufficient weight atthe said thickness and diameter, to provide the necessary momentum whentossed, to overcome the inherent adverse effects that the wind presentsin regards to player accuracy, and therefore enjoyment. The compositionof the material of the game of this invention is an injection moldableplastic. The said “marker disc” of U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 is specifiedby claim to be “less than about 2⅜ inches” in diameter; therefore, isprohibitively small in diameter to ensure the visibility needed to be atarget in normal and commonplace piles of sand and long turf grass lawnsas intended areas for the game of this invention to be played. The gameapparatus of this invention comprises a much larger target puck comparedto prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 disclosures, and is to be white orof other substantially bright and easily delineated color, in contrastto the colors of the said tossing pucks and various surfaces of play,thus clearly improving the visibility of said target puck, and achievinga more desirable function of play.

The said “marker disc” of U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 is specified by claimto be “less than about 2⅜ inches” in diameter, therefore, isprohibitively small in comparison to the target puck of the game of thisinvention being ideally 5⅛ inches in diameter, to enable the method ofplay and objective of the game of this invention, which is morespecifically to toss and bounce-land said tossing puck or a plurality ofsaid tossing pucks onto said target puck in a fully supported orpartially supported position from a distance of up to about 50 (fifty)feet. The game apparatus of this invention comprises a much largertarget puck face surface area, and thus functions with a desirableprobability of landing a single or a plurality of said tossing pucksonto said target puck during the course of one single completed turn offour said tossing pucks being tossed by a player and opponent.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new competitive bounce-landing pucktoss game. This game and method of play surpass inherent barriers ofprior art apparatus and devices to enable the challenging andcompetitive play often sought by the general public for entertainment.The game design and construction enhance the integrity of playersability and accuracy of play resulting in desirable scoring, thusincreasing the entertainment and competitive value.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new bounce-landing pucktoss game device apparatus and method of play which has many advantagesin comparison to relevant prior art devices for playing horseshoe, bagtoss, and bocce-ball type games mentioned heretofore, and many novelfeatures that result in a new bounce-landing puck toss game device whichis not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by anyof the prior art devices for playing horseshoe or bocce-ball games orapparatus, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a plurality ofpucks, including a number of tossing pucks and a target puck. Each puckhas a center, generally circular first and second faces, and a perimeterside edge between the first and second faces of the puck.

Each puck has one said perpendicular perimeter side edge to said puckface being a sharp 90 degree angle and said opposite puck face having aless sharp perpendicular perimeter side edge to puck face angle of 90degrees with about a 1/32 inch to ¼ inch corner radius, with an idealcorner radius of 1/16 inch.

The game apparatus consists of eight tossing pucks divided equally intotwo sets and one target puck. Each set of tossing pucks is a coloreasily recognized as being different from the other and both sets ofpucks being of a color that is distinctly different from the target puckcolor The target puck is substantially equal in construction to thetossing pucks with the one exception of color. The target puck isideally a bright white color.

General Outline for the Preferred Method of Play

The preferred said method of play consists of a plurality of players,with each player or team of players tossing a set of four (4) coloredpucks towards the previously tossed brightly colored or white targetpuck.

The preferred said method of play allows a player to select which of thetwo faces of any puck is in the upward position in an attempt to providethe desired initial desired striking contact to the playing surface orthe previously tossed pucks. By selecting which face of the puck isfacing up when tossed, the player is also selecting which said 90 degreeface to side edge corner of the downward face of the puck, the sharpno-radius corner, or the more rounded-radius corner will make initialcontact with the playing surface or previously tossed puck or pucks asdesired. This aforementioned playing technique changes the initialcontact of said sharper no-radius corner of the puck about to be tossedresulting in a more abrupt stop and bounce backward effect as comparedto said rounded-radius corner resulting in a more of a bounce and slideforward technique.

The preferred said method of play is for tossing said tossing pucks adistance of up to about fifty (50) feet from the line of toss to wherethe said tossing puck lands, with the primary and highest scoringobjective to bounce-land said tossing puck onto said target puck so thatsaid tossing puck is fully supported by said target puck, or the inversethereof.

The preferred said method of play is for tossing said tossing pucks adistance of up to about fifty (50) feet from the line of toss to wherethe said tossing puck lands, with the secondary and second highestscoring objective to bounce-land said tossing puck onto said target puckso that said tossing puck is partially supported or leaning on saidtarget puck, or the inverse thereof.

The preferred said method of play is for tossing said tossing pucks adistance of up to about fifty (50) feet from the line of toss to wherethe said tossing puck lands, with the lowest scoring objective tobounce-land said tossing puck closest to said target puck.

The preferred said method of play is that the game commences with one ofthe teams players tossing the white target puck up to a distance ofabout 50 (fifty) feet from the line of toss.

The preferred said method of play after the first toss of a tossing puckallows the player with the inferior scoring position to continue to tossuntil the last previously tossed puck results in that player or team tobe in a superior scoring position, or until all four tossing pucks havebeen tossed for that turn of play.

The preferred said method of play is for only one player or team toscore for each turn of play.

The preferred said method of play is for the player or team scoringpoints in the previous turn to begin the next turn by again tossing thetarget puck up to a distance of about fifty (50) feet and then toss thefirst of the four tossing pucks towards the target puck.

The preferred said method of play is primarily to attempt to land atossing puck onto the target puck in a fully supported position for thehighest scoring value of six (6) points, and secondarily to land one ormore tossing pucks onto the target puck in a partially supported orleaning position to score three (3) points for each, and the minimalscoring position of landing one or more tossing pucks closer to thetarget than the other player to score one (1) point for each puck thatis closer than any of the opponents.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and the objects other than thoseset forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bounce-landing puck according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a section view of the puck of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the game apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of puck scoring positions according to themethod of play of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through4 thereof, a new bounce-landing puck toss game device embodying theprinciples and concepts of the present invention.

FIG. 3 comprises a plurality of pucks including a number of tossingpucks 10 and a target puck 15. Each puck has a center, generallycircular first and second faces and a perimeter side edge between thefirst and second faces of the puck. Each puck has a generallycylindrical bore 13 extending between its first and second faces.

Ideally, the number of tossing pucks comprises eight tossing pucks andare preferably divided equally into a pair of sets each having a commonmarking or color on each of the pucks of the set, with each set being adifferent color. Each puck has a center, generally circular first andsecond faces and a perimeter side edge between the first and secondfaces of the puck. FIG. 2 shows each puck has two perimeter side edges,one with a sharp 90 degree corner 11 with no radius, and the other witha more rounded 90 degree corner 12 with a radius of 1/32 inch to ¼ inchwith ideal being 1/16 inch. Each puck has a generally cylindrical bore13 which is extended between the first and second faces. The bore 13 islocated at the center of the puck. Preferably, the diameters of thetossing pucks 10 are substantially equal to one another and ideally, thediameter of each of the tossing pucks 10 is greater than 4¾ inches.Ideally the diameter of the tossing pucks is about 5⅛ inches. Ideally,the diameter of the target puck 15 is substantially equal to the tossingpucks about 5⅛ inches. Each puck has a thickness defined between thefirst and second faces of the puck. Preferably, the thickness of thetossing pucks 10 is substantially equal to one another. The thickness ofthe target puck 15 is substantially equal to the thickness of thetossing pucks 10. Ideally, the thickness of each puck is greater than ¾inch and ideally 1⅛ inches. FIG. 1 shows the tactile indicia andconcentric rings 14 that are elevated off of the surface about 0.006 toprovide increased tactile function. FIG. 4 shows the method of playscoring positions of said tossing puck 10 in relation to said targetpuck 15 for various desired point values, displaying said fullysupported and partially supported positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofdevices for playing horseshoe, bag toss and bocce-ball games now presentin the prior art, the present invention provides a new bounce-landingpuck toss game device wherein the same can be utilized for playing a newpuck throwing game with a new method of play not disclosed incombination or separately thereof in other patents.

One embodiment of the game of this invention is the apparatus of tossingpucks and one target puck, so constructed of the desirable weight,dimension, shape, and color-integrated plastic material which isenabling of the method of play as outlined in the claims. The mostdesirable and intended playing environments, which include beaches andparks, have commonplace and normally expected winds that adversely andnegatively affect the tossing accuracy of the smaller, lighter, and lessaerodynamic relevant prior-art apparatus. The negative effect of thewind in regards to accuracy of play of the previous art devicesdiminishes the practical challenge and entertainment value of the game.This adverse effect is successfully eliminated or substantiallyminimized by the weight, shape, and size of the pucks of this inventioncompared to prior art devices, thus providing a probability of tossingaccuracy that is enabling of the intended and prescribed method of playand henceforth greatly increases the entertainment value.

Another embodiment of the apparatus of this invention is that theaforementioned construction provides a very durable structure thatmaintains form and color of the apparatus through the extreme hardshipsof the intended play of being tossed up to about 50 (fifty feet) on manydifferent expected playing surfaces for hundreds or more of games.

The more important features of this invention have thus been broadlyoutlined, in order that the detailed description of the method of playthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a newbounce-landing puck toss game device apparatus and method of play whichhas many of the advantages of the devices for playing horseshoe, bagtoss, or bocce-ball type games mentioned heretofore and many novelfeatures that result in a new bounce-landing puck toss game device whichis not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by anyof the prior art devices for playing apparatus tossed at a target orbocce-ball games, either alone or in any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a newbounce-landing puck toss game device which may be easily and efficientlymanufactured, and more specifically is constructed of injection moldableplastic material that accomplishes the specific desired playingcharacteristics that provide the necessary function of play as outlinedby the previously stated method of play of this invention.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a newbounce-landing puck toss game device which is of a durable and reliableconstruction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a newbounce-landing puck toss game device which is susceptible of a low costof manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and whichaccordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consumingpublic, thereby making such bounce-landing puck toss game deviceeconomically available to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newbounce-landing puck toss game device which provides in the apparatusesand methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, whilesimultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associatedtherewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a newbounce-landing puck toss game device for playing a puck throwing gamewith a method of play not probable or practical to achieve with normalprior art horseshoe, bag toss or bocce-ball type game apparatus.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newbounce-landing puck toss game device which includes a plurality ofpucks, including a number of tossing pucks and a target puck. Each puckhas a center, generally circular first and second faces, and a perimeterside edge between the first and second faces of the puck. Each puck hasa generally cylindrical bore extending between its first and secondfaces.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newbounce-landing puck toss game device that is best played on sand orgrass lawn, but may be played on many other types of ground surface.

These characteristics, together with other objects of the invention,along with the various features of novelty which characterize theinvention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed toand forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of theinvention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained byits uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings anddescriptive matter in which the preferred embodiments of the inventionare illustrated.

The best method for carrying out this invention is to utilize theservices of those skilled in the arts of plastics injection molding toconstruct the apparatus in accordance with the relevant details of thisinvention.

1. A bounce-landing puck toss game for a plurality of players,comprising: A plurality of pucks including a number of tossing pucks anda target puck. Each puck having a center, generally opposing circularfirst and second faces, and a perimeter side edge between andperpendicular to said first and second faces of said puck each puckhaving a diameter.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said number oftossing pucks comprises eight tossing pucks.
 3. The apparatus of claim1, wherein each puck is constructed by a plastic injection mold.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein each puck is constructed of acolor-integrated material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidthicknesses of said tossing pucks are substantially equal to oneanother.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said diameters of saidtossing pucks are substantially equal to one another.
 7. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein said weight of said tossing pucks are substantiallyequal to one another.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shapesof said tossing pucks are substantially equal to one another.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said target puck is constructedsubstantially equal in all regards and aspects to said tossing pucks,with the one exception of being a different color.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said diameter of each of said tossing pucks is greaterthan about 4½ inches to a maximum of about 5½ inches, with the idealdiameter being determined to be 5⅛ inches.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein each puck having one said perpendicular perimeter side edge tosaid puck face being a sharp 90 degree angle and said opposite puck facehaving a less sharp perpendicular perimeter side edge to puck face angleof 90 degrees with about a 1/32 inch to ¼ inch corner radius, with anideal corner radius of 1/16 inch.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid thickness of each said tossing puck is greater than ¾ inch to amaximum of 1½ inch, with the ideal thickness being determined to be 1⅛inch.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said weight of said tossingpuck is about 8 ounces to 13 ounces with an ideal weight beingdetermined to be 11 ounces.
 14. A bounce-landing puck toss game for aplurality of players, comprised of: a) A plurality of pucks including anumber of tossing pucks and a target puck, wherein said number oftossing pucks comprises eight (8) tossing pucks divided into two groupsof four (4) of the same color, of which one group of four are adifferent color from the color of the other group of four and clearlydifferent from the color of the target puck. b) Wherein said target puckis brightly colored or ideally white in color; each puck having acenter, generally opposing circular first and second faces, and aperimeter side edge between and perpendicular to said first and secondfaces of said puck. c) Wherein each puck having one said perpendicularperimeter side edge to said puck face being a sharp 90 degree angle andsaid opposite puck face having a less sharp perpendicular perimeter sideedge to puck face angle of 90 degrees with about a 1/32 inch to ¼ inchcorner radius, with an ideal corner radius of 1/16 inch. d) Wherein eachpuck has a diameter. e) Wherein said diameters of said tossing pucks aresubstantially equal to one another. Wherein said diameter of each ofsaid tossing pucks is greater than about 4½ inches to a maximum of 5½inches, with the ideal diameter being determined to be 5⅛ inches. g)Wherein said target puck is constructed substantially equal in allregards and aspects to said tossing pucks, with the one exception ofbeing a different color. Wherein each puck has a thickness definedbetween said first and second faces of said puck. Wherein said thicknessof said tossing pucks being substantially equal to one another Whereinsaid thickness of each said tossing puck is greater than ¾ inch to amaximum of 1½ inch, with the ideal thickness being determined to be 1⅛inch.
 15. A method of playing a bounce-landing puck toss game with rulesfor a plurality of players, comprised of: a) A plurality of pucksincluding a number of tossing pucks and a target puck, wherein saidnumber of tossing pucks comprises eight tossing pucks divided into twogroups of four of the same color, of which one group of four are adifferent color from the color of the other group of four and clearlydifferent from the color of the target puck. Wherein said target puck isbrightly colored or ideally white in color. Each puck having a center,generally opposing circular first and second faces, and a perimeter sideedge between and perpendicular to said first and second faces of saidpuck. Wherein each puck having one said perpendicular perimeter sideedge to said puck face being a sharp 90 degree angle and said oppositepuck face having a less sharp perpendicular perimeter side edge to puckface angle of 90 degrees with about a 1/32 inch to ¼ inch corner radius,with an ideal corner radius of 1/16 inch. e) Wherein each puck has adiameter. f) Wherein said diameters of said tossing pucks aresubstantially equal to one another, wherein said diameter of each ofsaid tossing pucks is greater than about 4½ inches to a maximum of 5½inches, with the ideal diameter being determined to be 5⅛ inches. g)Wherein said target puck is constructed substantially equal in allregards and aspects to said tossing pucks, with the one exception ofbeing a different color. h) Wherein Each puck having a thickness definedbetween said first and second faces of said puck. i) Wherein saidthickness' of said tossing pucks being substantially equal to oneanother. j) Wherein said thickness of each said tossing puck is greaterthan ¾ inch to a maximum of 1½ inch, with the ideal thickness beingdetermined to be 1⅛ inch. k) Wherein said method of play commences withone of the teams players tossing the white target puck tip to a distanceof about fifty (50) feet from the line of toss. l) Wherein method ofplay consists of a plurality of players, with each player or team ofplayers tossing a set of four colored pucks towards the previouslytossed brightly colored or white target puck. m) Wherein said method ofplay is for tossing said tossing pucks a distance of up to about fifty(50) feet from the line of toss to where the said tossing puck lands,with the primary and highest scoring objective to bounce-land onto saidtarget puck so that said tossing puck is fully supported by said targetpuck, or the inverse thereof. n) Wherein said method of play is fortossing said tossing pucks a distance of up to about fifty (50) feetfrom the line of toss to where the said tossing puck lands, with thesecondary and second highest scoring objective to bounce-land saidtossing puck onto said target puck so that said tossing puck ispartially supported or leaning on said target puck, or the inversethereof. o) Wherein said method of play is for tossing said tossingpucks a distance of up to about fifty (50) feet from the line of toss towhere the said tossing puck lands, with the lowest scoring objective tobounce-land said tossing puck closest to said target puck.